Inside Virginia Hospitality Spring 2017 by VistaGraphics

a MAGAZINE from Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association

VIRGINIA HOSPITALITY

SPRING 2017

INSIDE

Representing VIRGINIA'S RESTAURANT, LODGING & TRAVEL INDUSTRIES

Virginia ProStart Student Invitational HAMPTON ROADS SERVES UP TOP HONORS

TOP 10 WINS

LEGISLATIVE VICTORIES IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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FOOD TRENDS

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3/23/17 11:16 AM

PRESIDENT LETTER

s we embark on the second quarter of 2017, our association and industries are on the move. Virginia’s restaurants, as well as restaurants across the nation, are continuing to see a strong level of consumer confidence as patrons continue to enjoy dining out. And while the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (published February 28) showed a moderate decline in January, its Expectations Index has stayed above 100 for four consecutive months. Virginia’s hotel industry continues to show high confidence in the future of tourism with developers and owners poised to invest over $1 billion in properties through the end of 2018. Our Occupancy and Revenue Per Available Room, as recently as October 2016 continued to outperform the national average growing at 2.8 percent (vs. 0.0 percent) and 5.4 percent (vs. 3.0 percent), respectively. As for the Association?

Well, the staff and I are happy to report that, after months of planning and number crunching, we’ve reached an agreement to lease approximately 2,000-sq-ft of space at 5101 Monument Avenue in Richmond. This is a big step for our association. After several years of diligent work to iron out our finances and tackling aggressive financial goals the Finance and Executive Committees both approved the lease of the new space. As the construction begins and the new offices take shape we will keep you posted. The staff, myself included, have been looking forward to this day for some time. While all this is good news, we’ve been fortunate to have a successful 2017 General Assembly Session as well. Some of the important wins include defeating all attempts to raise the minimum wage and all attempts to remove or add carve outs to the post-Labor Day school start bill. We also passed legislation that affirms our localities’ rights to create a registration process for anyone interested in offering their home or a room online for short-term rental, through sites such as Airbnb. And we successfully defeated bills that would have allowed cigar shops and performing arts facilities to serve alcohol without the same requirements that restaurants have to comply with. We were also successful in fighting back against the significant health inspection fee increase proposed in the state budget.

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

MOVING UP… As we look to continue this upward trajectory for the association and our industries, we invite you to join us in Staunton, Virginia on April 30 - May 1, 2017 for the VRLTA Annual Membership Meeting. We hope to have strong member participation in this event, one that will see the Association elect a new Chairman of the Board and many other board positions. As a function of the meeting, we plan to host an exciting VRLTA PAC Fundraiser. The VRLTA PAC is an important fund that allows the Association to donate to the campaigns of legislators who are supportive of our industry. Here’s to continued good fortune for the rest of 2017 and beyond. Yours in hospitality,

Eric Terry

STAFF President Eric Terry eric@vrlta.org

Northern Virginia, Director of Membership & Government Affairs Kristen Karrfalt kristen@vrlta.org

Director of Marketing & Communications Seth Petersen seth@vrlta.org

Director of Education & Workforce Development Jim Wilson jim@vrlta.org

Director, Member Development Jen T. Laws jen@vrlta.org

Director, Government Affairs Joe Wertz joe@vrlta.org

Administrator Jenny Latina jenny@vrlta.org

VRLTA | 2101 Libbie Ave, Richmond, VA 23230 | (804) 288-3065 | www.VRLTA.org

VIRGINIA RESTAURANT, LODGING & TRAVEL ASSOCIATION

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Spring 2017

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CONTENTS

Top Legislative Wins of 2017

11 18

4 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

6 WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

14 VPSI 2017 16 TRAVEL &

TOURISM WEEK

7 EVENTS 8 AIRBNB: STUDY ON

2017 FOOD TRENDS

COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY

VRLTA NEWS BRIEFS

9 VIRGINIA BY

22 VRLTA INDUSTRY

THE NUMBERS

PARTNERS

SIX CHEESE GOCCE PASTA PURSES - 4675054 -

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NEW MEMBERS

NEW MEMBERS | SUPPLIERS

Miller’s Ale House Restaurant Sterling Rueger Restaurant Group Richmond Smoke Pit Grill Henrico

Beskin-Divers Insurance Group Virginia Beach Emerald Plumbing Company Temple Hills, MD Gecko Hospitality Fort Mill, SC Hypnos Contract Beds Norfolk OpenTable Washington, DC Randall Hall Insurance Chesterfield

| LODGING Courtyard Marriott Richmond Downtown Richmond Hotel Laurance Luray Residence Inn Richmond Downtown Richmond SAI Hotel Group Midlothian

| RESTAURANTS/ BREWERIES Black Hoof Brewing Co. Leesburg Burger King – Holland Road Suffolk Escutcheon Brewing Company Winchester Front Royal Brewing Company Linden Ivy Provisions Charlottesville

VIRGINIA RESTAURANT, LODGING & TRAVEL ASSOCIATION

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| TRAVEL Barter Theater Abingdon Danville/Pittsylvania Chamber of Commerce Blairs Dulles Golf Center & Sports Park Sterling

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EVENTS AND DATES

UPCOMING

EVENTS AND DATES 2017 2015

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THESE EVENTS CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.VRLTA.ORG

April 11-14 AAHOA Convention & Trade Show San Antonio, TX

August 26-29 U.S. Travel Association ESTO Minneapolis, MN

April 20 Greater Prince William Chapter Mixer matchbox Potomac Mills Woodbridge, VA

August 27-30 AH&LEF Golf Classic White Sulfur Springs, WV

April 28-30 National ProStart Student Invitational Charleston, SC May 7-13 National Travel and Tourism Week May 8 Fairfax-Dulles Chapter Board Meeting Glory Days North Point Village Center Reston, VA May 17 AHLA Stars of the Industry Washington, DC May 17-18 AHLA + AAHOA Legislative Action Summit Washington, DC

October 4-6 NRA 20th Annual Richard E. Marriott Golf Invitational Upcoming ServSafe Classes April 11 — Fredericksburg April 13 — Harrisonburg May 9 — Richmond (Innsbrook) May 11 — Harrisonburg May 22 — Suffolk June 8 — Harrisonburg June 13 — Richmond (Midlothian) Additional 2017 Classes are available on VRLTA. org/ServSafe.

May 20-23 NRA Show 2017 Chicago, IL June 3-7 U.S. Travel Association IPW Washington, DC

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AIRBNB

A HOUSE IS NOT A HOTEL?

STUDY SHOWS AIRBNB’S BUSINESS GENERATING NEARLY $2 BILLION IN REVENUE FROM HOSTS RENTING OUT T WO OR MORE ENTIRE HOME UNITS.

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) released a new report on March 9, 2017 that examines the rise of commercial activity taking place on Airbnb nationwide. This study, Hosts with Multiple Units—A Key Driver of Airbnb Growth, reveals that Airbnb’s business is moving even further away from true home sharing: 81 percent of Airbnb’s U.S. revenue—$4.6 billion—comes from wholeunit rentals (those rentals where the owner is not present during the time of the rental). Airbnb has allowed the growth of “illegal hotels” that are often unregulated properties operating in residential neighborhoods, and as others have pointed out, are disrupting communities, impacting affordable housing and jeopardizing safety and security for guests and neighbors alike. The study, conducted by real estate research company CBRE Hotels’ Americas Research and funded by the American Hotel & Lodging Education Foundation, echoes a growing body of research that shows Airbnb “hosts” renting out two or more entire home units are the fastest growing segment of Airbnb’s business in the U.S., generating nearly $2 billion in revenue nationally in 2016, or 40 percent of Airbnb’s entire-unit national revenue, and 37 percent of entire-unit revenue in the 13 markets studied (over $700 million). This comprehensive national review of Airbnb operations covers October 2014 to September 2016, with a spotlight on 13 of the nation’s largest markets: Austin, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Oahu, Portland, OR, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. Hosts listing multiple homes for rent are the fastest growing segment of Airbnb’s business. Hosts with 10 or more properties are generating a quarter of all multi-host revenue, roughly $175 million in the 13 markets studied. The analysis also indicates this troubling national trend is getting worse, although there are some signs in key markets that stricter short-term rental regulation may be effective at curbing illegal hotel activity. “Once upon a time, Airbnb might have simply been a home

VIRGINIA RESTAURANT, LODGING & TRAVEL ASSOCIATION

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sharing company, but this analysis shows that’s just a fairytale now,” said AHLA President and Chief Executive Officer Katherine Lugar. “This report provides a stark contrast to the picture that Airbnb presents to policymakers and the public and sheds light on why the company has largely refused to take even basic steps to stop illegal hotel operators, because these actors drive the overwhelming – and growing – portion of its revenue. Indeed, it appears that Airbnb is actively supporting this commercial activity rather than trying to operate within the boundaries of the law. Today we are calling on Airbnb to finally come clean, tell the truth to the communities where it operates and crack down on the illegal hotels that it facilitates.” “This report confirms a devastating national trend that is exacerbating the affordable housing crisis in cities across the country,” said Peter Cohen, Co-director of the Council of Community Housing Organizations. “Affordable housing advocates from coast to coast agree: Airbnb in particular and the short-term-rental industry in general is facilitating a housing crisis by incentivizing property investors to convert homes and apartments into illegal hotels, thus decreasing the available housing stock and driving rent prices up. This is clearly no longer a mom and pop “hosting” activity—it’s become a profitable commercial enterprise. Rather than rein in this ‘hotelization’ of our housing, Airbnb lets them flourish—and everyday working families pay the price.” John Stern, President and Chairman Emeritus of Nashville Neighborhood Alliance, added, “Businesses belong in commercially-zoned areas—not in residential neighborhoods. By enabling these businesses, Airbnb and all Short Term Rental Properties are hurting our neighborhoods and damaging our communities. Some areas are now practically ghost-towns with investors buying houses just to rent them out to partiers on the weekends. And parents that want to raise their families in a close-knit neighborhood instead face a revolving door of strangers causing mayhem. We want to keep the neighbors in neighborhoods.”

Spring 2017

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BY THE NUMBERS

2017

VIRGINIA BY THE NUMBERS Source: American Hotel & Lodging Association, National Restaurant Association, Virginia Tourism Corporation

VIRGINIA RESTAURANT INDUSTRY

14,859 $16.8 billion projected sales in 2017

locations

367,800 restaurant and foodservice jobs in Virginia in 2017 = 9% of employment in the state

VIRGINIA LODGING INDUSTRY

1,590 properties

$26.9 billion

141,000 guest rooms

116,449 hotel jobs

in business sales VIRGINIA DOMESTIC TOURISM INDUSTRY

(FY 2015)

GENERATED

SUPPORTED

PROVIDED

$23 BILLION

223,100 JOBS

$1.6 BILLION

IN STATE AND LOCAL TAXES

GENERATED

SUPPORTED

INCREASED STATE AND LOCAL TAX REVENUES

IN TRAVEL SPENDING

$63 MILLION

IN TRAVELER SPENDING PER DAY RANKED 9TH IN TRAVELER SPENDING AMONG 50 STATES & WASHINGTON D.C.

6.3 BILLION IN PAYROLL

WAS THE

5TH

LARGEST EMPLOYER IN VIRGINIA

5.9% FROM 2014 7:1

EVERY $1 VTCC INVESTS IN TOURISM MARKETING GENERATES $7 IN STATE TAX REVENUE W W W. V R LT A . O R G

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WELCOME

VIRGINIA RESTAURANT, LODGING & TRAVEL ASSOCIATION

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Spring 2017

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LEGISLATIVE TOP 10

2017 TOP 10 LEGISLATIVE WINS Association Scores BIG for Restaurant + Hospitality Industry The 2017 General Assembly Session came and went in a hurried fashion. With session wrapped, all Passed Legislation is on its way to Governor Terry McAuliffe for his amendments and signatures. There is of course a chance that he sends a Bill back to its respective chamber for edits, or that he outright vetos a Bill. While we await his action on the stacks of Bills heading his way, let’s take a look at VRLTA’s — and the Virginia Restaurant + Hospitality Industry’s — Top 10 Wins of 2017. Note: At the time of publishing, the Governor had not yet taken action on these bills. The most current information is available on VRLTA.org

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3/23/17 11:24 AM

LEGISLATIVE TOP 10

Short-Term Online Rentals (Airbnb)

Senate Bill 1578 (Norment): Short-term rental of property; registration of persons offering property for rental. VRLTA successfully worked with members of the General Assembly to introduce and pass Legislation that grants Virginia Localities the right to create host registries, charge a nominal fee to join the registry, and appropriately tax this home-based business. RESULT: Passed both the Senate and House, clearing its final House vote 86-14. The bill is now awaiting action by the Governor.

Labor Day

House Bill 1983 (Greason): School calendar; opening day of the school year. This bill would give local school boards the responsibility for setting their school calendars and determining the opening day of the school year. It also would have eliminated the current law that mandates that schools start post-Labor Day or have a “good cause” waiver to start prior.

Minimum Wage

House Bills 1444, 1771, 2309 and Senate Bills 785 and 978: Minimum Wage; increases minimum wage from its currently federally mandated level. The association faced several initiatives this session to raise the minimum wage at the state level. Each bill was mostly similar, with only slight differences to the level to which the minimum would be raised and how quickly it would occur. Some bills were more aggressive in their approach than others. Most bills would have increased the minimum wage to $15 with the next 5 years.

RESULT: The bill was Defeated in Senate subcommittee on a vote of 9 to 6. Senate Bill 1111 (Edwards): School calendar; adds to “good cause” circumstances for waiver of school opening. This bill would have added another “good cause” requirement for which school divisions may be granted a waiver from the regular post-Labor Day school opening schedule. The waiver may be granted for any school division that had entered into a dual enrollment agreement with a comprehensive community college. In effect, this would have made almost every school division in Virginia eligible to apply for a waiver.

RESULT: All House bills were laid on the table (Defeated) in House Commerce and Labor Subcommittee #2. Both Senate bills were passed by indefinitely (Defeated) in Senate Commerce and Labor by a vote of 11-3 and 11-2-1, respectively.

RESULT: The bill was Defeated in Senate Education and Health Subcommittee on a 9 to 7 vote.

Meals Tax

Senate Bill 1296 (Vogel): Moratorium on food and beverage tax referendum. Senate bill 1296 was introduced to combat the aggressive number of meals tax referendums held by counties in subsequent years. The bill as introduced would create a moratorium on holding a food and beverage tax for three calendar years following the defeat of such a referendum. The bill was amended to be specifically tailored toward preventing board of supervisors from passing resolution to hold a food and beverage tax referendum. The hope is that this bill will be signed into law and the number of referendums our counties face regarding this taxing authority will be greatly reduced.

RESULT: The bill Passed both the House and Senate and will be before the Governor. 12

VIRGINIA RESTAURANT, LODGING & TRAVEL ASSOCIATION

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Motion Picture Tax Credit

Senate Bill 982 (Stanley) and House Bill 1665 (Robinson): Extends the sunset date on the motion picture production tax credit. These identical bills were introduced to extend the sunset date on the motion picture production tax credit from January 1, 2019 until January 1, 2022. This will allow for a much greater predictability for the projects already in place and other film projects looking to potentially make Virginia their place of production. RESULT: These bills Passed both the House and the Senate and are waiting for action to be taken by the Governor.

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LEGISLATIVE TOP 10

ABC Licenses for Commercial Lifestyle Centers

6 7

House Bill 1987 (Greason) and Senate Bill 1391 (DeSteph): Alcoholic beverage control; new license for certain commercial lifestyle centers. These identical bills create a new ABC license for the consumption, but not the sale, of alcoholic beverages at any “commercial lifestyle center” (outdoor town center). Alcoholic beverages must be purchased from licensed restaurants located within the commercial lifestyle center. RESULT: HB 1987 Passed the House of Delegates 82-14 passed the Senate 33-7 and was signed by the Governor on February 23, 2017, to be effective on July 1, 2017. SB 1391 Passed the Senate 28-12 and the House of Delegates 81-13 and is awaiting action by the Governor.

ABC Licenses for Performing Arts Facilities

House Bill 1526 (Albo): Alcoholic beverage control; mixed beverage performing arts facility license (a/k/a “Live Entertainment Venues”). This bill would have created a new mixed beverage annual live entertainment license to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages on the dates of performances and one hour prior to any such performance and one hour after the conclusion of any performance. The bill stipulates that the venue must have monthly gross receipts from the sale of food cooked, or prepared, and consumed on the premises of at least $4,000. The bill defined a live entertainment venue as an establishment devoted exclusively to the bona fide live performance of the performing arts, which establishment is open to the public no more than four days in any calendar week and where (i) at least 75 percent of the ticket sales for any performance at such venue is required to be purchased at least 12 hours in advance of the performance and (ii) the ticket price for the performance is based on the fair market value of the performance. RESULT: After passing the House of Delegates 89-8 the bill was Defeated in Senate Committee 6 Yea to 8 Nay.

Health Inspection Fees

House Bill 1500 (Jones) and Senate Bill 900 (Norment): Budget – Increase both the restaurant and non-restaurant food inspection. In the Governor’s budget, he included two items that would have increased the non-restaurant food inspection fee from $40 to $575 and the restaurant food inspection fee from $40 to $285. RESULT: The increase in the inspection fees were eliminated when the budget reported out of the conference committee. That budget was passed by both chambers and is awaiting action by the Governor.

ABC Licenses for Cigar Shops

House Bill 2220 (Landes): Alcoholic beverage control; limited mixed beverage license for retail cigar shops. This bill would have created a new limited mixed beverage license to allow retail cigar shops to give free alcoholic beverages to store patrons, limited to two drinks per patron, with a requirement that at least 60 percent of the cigar shops annual gross revenue be from the sale of premium tobacco products. RESULT: After passing the House of Delegates 84-11, the bill was Defeated in the Senate 10-30.

VTC Funding

House Bill 1500 (Jones) and Senate Bill 900 (Norment): Budget – VTC Funding. An amendment was added that reversed the reductions proposed by the Governor and provided $15,000 from the general fund the first year and $22,500 from the general fund the second year for Spearhead Trails. Additionally funding was restored for the See Virginia First program. Lastly, an amendment was added to remove $250,000 from the general fund for the City of Portsmouth in fiscal year 2018 for tourism based project and instead provides $125,000 from the general fund for the City of Virginia Beach in 2018 for the same purpose. RESULT: VRLTA worked with legislators on both sides to eliminate additional cuts to VTC funding and restore funding to multiple programs.

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PROSTART

3/23/17 11:58 AM

PROSTART

HAMPTON ROADS IS

COOKING WITH FIRE HAMPTON AND VIRGINIA BEACH TEENS TAKE TOP HONORS AT VIRGINIA’S PREMIER HIGH SCHOOL CULINARY COMPETITION On Friday, March 10, Virginia ProStart teams from Phoebus High School (Hampton) and Tallwood High School (Virginia Beach) placed first at the 2017 Virginia ProStart Student Invitational in culinary arts and restaurant management, respectively. As the winners of the competition, held at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, both schools received an invitation to participate in the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s National ProStart Invitational, April 28–30, 2017, in Charleston, South Carolina. During the event, more than 70 students representing 15 teams competed in either the culinary arts or restaurant management division. Culinary teams prepared a three-course meal in 60 minutes, without access to running water or electricity using only two butane burners, and management teams presented a business proposal for an original restaurant concept to a panel of industry judges. “The students who participated in this year’s competition are truly amazing,” said Jim Wilson, Director of Education & Workforce Development for Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association. “They are taught and mentored by some of the best teachers in the business and truly may become their generation’s master chefs and restaurant entrepreneurs. I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of this program that is working to engage our industry’s next stars.”

Thank you to Holly Cromer Photography for supplying some photographs of the event — hollycromerphoto.com. 14

VIRGINIA RESTAURANT, LODGING & TRAVEL ASSOCIATION

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Spring 2017

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PROSTART

THE 2017 VIRGINIA PROSTART COMPETITION TEAM WINNERS WERE: FIRST PLACE CULINARY:

PHOEBUS HIGH SCHOOL – HAMPTON

FIRST PLACE MANAGEMENT:

TALLWOOD HIGH SCHOOL – VIRGINIA BEACH

SECOND PLACE CULINARY:

VIRGINIA BEACH TECHNICAL & CAREER EDUCATION CENTER

SECOND PLACE MANAGEMENT:

LOUISA COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL – MINERAL

THIRD PLACE CULINARY:

C.S. MONROE TECHNOLOGY CENTER (TEAM II) – LEESBURG

THIRD PLACE MANAGEMENT:

MANCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL – MIDLOTHIAN

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3/23/17 11:26 AM

NATIONAL TRAVEL & TOURISM WEEK

WAYS TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL TRAVEL & TOURISM WEEK

May 7-13, 2017 —This NTTW spotlights the people who keep this industry strong with The Faces of Travel. Many of us are likely familiar with the frequently touted (and research-proven) positive effects of travel on our work performance, relationships and personal well-being. But, with all the national conversation about creating and keeping good American jobs, how much thought do we give to travel’s economic power in our lives? It certainly deserves our attention. Travel is a top-5 private employer in Virginia, supporting 223,100 jobs, and is ranked 9th in domestic traveler spending among the 50 states and Washington, D.C. The industry played a major role in America’s economic recovery post-recession—and now, travel is our country’s number one service export, accounting for 11 percent of all U.S. exports in 2015. The U.S. travel industry, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, has recovered far faster than other economic sectors since 2008. Spending by travelers everywhere in the U.S., which currently totals over $947 billion annually, supports 15.1 million American jobs. That’s one in nine Americans whose employment depends upon plenty of travelers moving to and within the U.S. Whether you already have plans for National Travel & Tourism Week or you need some quick ideas to raise awareness in your community, here’s a short list of seven ways you can celebrate.

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Spring 2017

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4 2 3 6 Rally for Travel: Host a travel rally or event (on Tuesday, May 9) in your community to join the thousands of travel advocates nationwide who will showcase their support for travel during this important week. Organize local lawmakers, travel workers and industry supporters to participate. Campaign with this year’s theme by showcasing your “Faces of Travel” stories. Be sure to share what the industry means to your residents, community, business and state. Make speeches, stage photos, create signs, hand out buttons and beyond. Amplify your event through local press and use U.S. Travel media outreach resources, including sample a media advisory, press release, op-ed and blog.

Get Social: Social media is an effective way to get involved in events and discussions during NTTW. Include #nttw17 in posts to amplify your message on social media and get a chance to see your celebrations featured in U.S. Travel’s wrap-up video. Twitter: @USTravel Facebook: U.S. Travel Association Instagram: ustravel_association LinkedIn: U.S. Travel Association

Get Travel in the News: Inviting local media to your NTTW event is just the first step. You can further engage reporters in a number of ways. Coordinate or write a guest column for your local newspapers, destination blogs or company website. Identify the author: Elected officials and recognized local authorities (governor, mayor, business leader, destination marketing executive, board chairman or other civic leader, etc.) add credibility to op-eds and articles. Determine the topic and tone: Messages should be current, easy to read and concise. They should also provide compelling arguments on what travel means to your community or state. Confirm submission guidelines: Identify submission criteria and deadlines, which can often be found in the opinion section of the website. Most outlets require a few days lead time before they publish a piece, so make sure you submit in time for your article or op-ed to appear during NTTW.

NATIONAL TRAVEL & TOURISM WEEK

Honor Local Travel Employees: From airport personnel to hotel staff to restaurant and retail workers, front-line travel industry employees interact with travelers daily. Invite travel workers to join your rally and bring an industry representative to the stage alongside other dignitaries. Recognize the incredible achievements of the travel workforce on social media and/or blog posts or your local industry newsletter. Award outstanding travel employees, be it gifts or discounts to enjoy local attractions. You can also host a reception to honor their contributions. Promote how travel jobs create professional opportunities and thank front-line workers for increasing the visibility of your destination with banners and posters. Don’t forget to include your organization’s name and logo.

Contact your Members of Congress: Building a relationship with your local Members of Congress and their staff sets a foundation for influential conversations about the travel industry and its importance to your organization. Meet with Members of Congress and their staff to discuss the state of travel in your community. Call if you are unable to secure a meeting. Write a letter asking lawmakers to support pro-travel policies that grow the industry or to thank them for their support. Tweet your Member of Congress and incorporate #NTTW17 to raise their awareness of why you’re supporting Travel ’17.

Host a Local Tour: Remind elected officials in your community about local attractions. Conduct a tour of local attractions to your community’s policymakers. This can be done via a walking tour of local landmarks, a behind-the-scenes hotel visit or through a motor coach company selling your destination’s key points.

Grow the Power of Travel Coalition: Travel is composed of influential ambassadors—the people whose jobs depend on the travel and tourism industry and whose efforts, at a moment’s notice, move members of Congress to enact critical policies.

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3/28/17 9:47 AM

2017 2017 FOOD TRENDS

What’s Hot Food Trends As it does each year, the National Restaurant Association is out with its What’s Hot Trends. Each year, the Association surveys nearly 1,300 professional chefs – members of the American Culinary Federation (ACF) – to explore food and beverage trends at restaurants. According to the survey, menu trends that will be heating up in 2017 include poke, house-made charcuterie, street food, food halls and ramen. Trends that are cooling down include quinoa, black rice, and vegetarian and vegan cuisines. “Menu trends today are beginning to shift from ingredient-based items to concept-

based ideas, mirroring how consumers tend to adapt their activities to their overall lifestyle philosophies, such as environmental sustainability and nutrition,” said Hudson Riehle, Senior Vice President of Research for the National Restaurant Association. “Also among the top trends for 2017, we’re seeing several examples of house-made food items and various global flavors, indicating that chefs and restaurateurs are further experimenting with from-scratch preparation and a broad base of flavors.”

For more Top Trend Lists, visit www.restaurant.org/foodtrends.

VIRGINIA RESTAURANT, LODGING & TRAVEL ASSOCIATION

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Spring 2017

3/23/17 11:31 AM

2017 FOOD TRENDS

TOP 20 FOOD TRENDS 1 New cuts of meat

(e.g. shoulder tender, oyster steak, Vegas Strip Steak, Merlot cut)

2 Street food-inspired dishes (e.g. tempura, kabobs, dumplings, pupusas)

3 Healthful kids’ meals 4 House-made charcuterie 5 Sustainable seafood 6 Ethnic-inspired breakfast items

(e.g. Asian-flavored syrups, Chorizo scrambled eggs, coconut milk pancakes)

TOP 5 CONCEPT TRENDS 1 Hyper-local sourcing

(e.g. restaurant gardens, onsite beer brewing, house-made items)

2 Chef-driven fast-casual concepts 3 Natural ingredients/clean menus 4 Environmental sustainability 5 Locally sourced produce

TOP 5 ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE TRENDS 1 Craft/artisan spirits

2 Onsite barrel-aged drinks

7 House-made condiments

3 Locally produced wine/spirits/beer

8 Authentic ethnic cuisine

4 Regional signature cocktails

9 Heirloom fruits and vegetables

5 Culinary cocktails (e.g. savory, fresh ingredients)

10 African flavors

13 House-made pickles

TOP 5 NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE TRENDS

14 Ancient grains

2 Gourmet lemonade (e.g. house-made, freshly muddled)

11 Ethnic spices

(e.g. harissa, curry, peri peri, ras el hanout, shichimi)

12 House-made sausage

(e.g. kamut, spelt, amaranth, lupin)

15 House-made/artisan ice cream 16 Whole grain items in kids’ meals 17 Protein-rich grains/seeds

(e.g. hemp, chia, quinoa, flax)

18 Artisan cheeses 19 Savory desserts 20 Gourmet items in kids’ meals

1 House-made/artisan soft drinks 3 Locally/house roasted coffee

4 Specialty iced tea (e.g. Thai-style, Southern/ sweet, flavored, matcha) 5 Cold brew coffee

TOP 5 SWEET TRENDS 1 House-made/artisan ice cream 2 Savory desserts 3 Donuts with non-traditional filling (e.g. liqueur, Earl Grey cream)

4 Smoked dessert ingredients 5 Bite-size/mini-desserts

W W W. V R LT A . O R G

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3/23/17 11:31 AM

VRLTA NEWS BRIEFS

62 LOCAL TOURISM PROGRAMS RECEIVE PUBLIC-PRIVATE MARKETING FUNDS TO BOLSTER GROWTH On February 21, Governor Terry McAuliffe announced more than $772,000 in matching grant funds to be awarded to 62 local tourism initiatives as part of the Virginia Tourism Corporation’s (VTC) Marketing Leverage Program (MLP). VRLTA was fortunate to have its President, Eric Terry, kick-off the press conference, which, in addition to Governor McAuliffe, included Secretary of Commerce and Trade Todd Haymore and Virginia Tourism Corporation President and CEO Rita McClenny. The MLP grants are designed to help local and regional tourism entities attract more visitors by leveraging limited local marketing dollars through a local match of the state grants funds. This funding cycle, local partners will commit more than $3.64 million to match the VTC grants, providing more than $4.4 million in new marketing funds to increase visitation to Virginia. The grants will ultimately impact more than 264 other statewide tourism entities.

VRLTA News Briefs & Chapter Highlights

A full list of the 62 initiatives can be found on VATC.org.

Better hiring tools, right at your fingertips. Snagajob and VRLTA partner to give your hiring an edge. Whether you’re looking for servers, cooks, housekeeping, front desk, maintenance and more, you can find them fast with Snagajob. You’ll get more applications, better applicants and a streamlined hiring process—saving you time and money. Post jobs, track applications and manage your new hires, all in one place. VRLTA members save 10%. Visit snagajob.com/vrlta today.

VIRGINIA RESTAURANT, LODGING & TRAVEL ASSOCIATION

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Spring 2017

3/23/17 11:33 AM

VRLTA NEWS BRIEFS

NAVAL STATION NORFOLK CELEBRATES 100 YEARS Naval Station Norfolk held its Centennial Kick Off event, Jan. 26. The evening included a reception at the Pennsylvania House, a proclamation by the 72nd Commonwealth of Virginia Governor, Terry McAuliffe, musical support from the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, the Feldman Chamber Music Society, the Hampton Roads Chamber Players, Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums Unit, tours of the historic Jamestown Exhibition Homes and a display in the Hampton Roads Naval Museum Annex. The Centennial celebration continues throughout 2017 with events across the Norfolk region. For more information on upcoming events, visit: http://www. norfolk.gov/navy100

DULLES-FAIRFAX CHAPTER TURNS MEETINGS INTO ACTION At last count, VRLTA’s Dulles-Fairfax Chapter is just under 100 active members! Our Membership and Events Committee just wrapped up two planned events—a mixer held at Dulles Holiday Inn on March 23rd and a PAC fundraising event at Dulles Golf Center in Sterling on April 5. The Committee has spent time planning the Chapter’s calendar for the rest of 2017 for meetings, additional fundraisers, etc. that will be posted on the VRLTA website. In other Chapter Committee news, the Education and Workforce Committee is working diligently with GMU to plan a Student Day on May 5. And, the PAC Committee has actively kept members well informed on all of the State and local issues facing our collective industries, including updates on Airbnb legislation, the Day without Immigrants, tipped wage issues, mandatory sick leave issues, and more.

2017 SERVSAFE CLASSES NOW OPEN FOR REGISTRATION VRLTA has worked with our partners at Capital Ale House, Sysco Hampton Roads, and Sysco Virginia to schedule ServSafe classes across the state. Additionally, VRLTA, through the National Restaurant Association, offers ServSafe Alcohol, Food Handler, and Allergen Training for online for studying and testing. For more information, visit VRLTA.org/ServSafe.

INDUSTRY EDITOR & PUBLISHER PASSES AWAY AT 68 Michael Birchenall, founder, editor & publisher of the Mid-Atlantic’s Foodservice Monthly, passed away on January 9, 2017 surrounded by his family. Having spent his early career in the restaurant and hotel industries, Michael was truly a lover and advocate for these industries. He was also supportive of the mid-Atlantic’s Restaurant Associations, always including space in each monthly issue of Foodservice Monthly for each to provide regional Association news and updates. To honor Michael, a joint association scholarship fund has been set up in his name. Contributions and questions about the fund can be directed to the Restaurant Association of Maryland. W W W. V R LT A . O R G

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3/23/17 12:04 PM

PARTNERS

Better hiring tools, right at your fingertips. SILVER

PLATINUM HEARTLAND HEARTLANDPAYMENTSYSTEMS.COM

Heartland Payment Systems is an endorsed partner of VRLTA and the NRA. Heartland offers a complete suite of services, including card processing, payroll services, tip & check management, and gift marketing. With Heartland, restaurants and hotels can reduce expenses, enhance & improve operations, and increase profitability. Angela Ihry • (P) 605.940.9861 • (E) angela.ihry@e-hps.com

SYSCO VIRGINIA & SYSCO HAMPTON ROADS SYSCO.COM

Along with top quality ingredients, all of our products are proudly backed by the highest quality assurance demanded by Sysco. Our dedicated associates and foodservice experts can explain how easy it is to do business with Sysco. Jason McGuire • (P) 757.855.4097 • mcquire.jason@shr.sysco.com

GOLD

Snagajob and VRLTA partner to give your hiring an edge.

FPIS FPIS.COM Whether you’re looking for servers, cooks,

FPIS is the southeast’s premier brochure distribution service. They can housekeeping, front desk, maintenance and the time and help you build an audience and awareness without spending energy yourself. more,doing youitcan find them fast with Snagajob. Linda • (P) applications, 407.656.8818 • (E) lindah@fpis.com You’llHiggins get more better applicants

and a streamlined hiring process—saving you time and money. Post jobs, track applications and manage your new hires, all in one place.

SIL INSURANCE VRLTA.ORG/SIL VRLTA members save 10%.

SIL Insurance offers you expert advice, leveraged pricing, fast service, & flexible solutions for workers compensation Visit snagajob.com/vrlta today. insurance and more. Members can often save up to 25% on workers compensation premiums. Derek Lynch • (P) 804.888.7216 • (E) dlynch@silinsurance.com

SNAGAJOB LEARN.SNAGAJOB.COM/VRLTA

Snagajob is America’s #1 spot for hourly employment. Posting your jobs on Snagajob.com gives you access to over 60 million job seekers, most of whom don’t visit other job sites. Millennials love applying using our mobile PERFORMANCE friendly website and app. Hiring managers value Snagajob’s paperless FOODSERVICE - VIRGINIA application and new hire paperwork process, which makes it easy to quickly WWW.PERFORMANCEFOODSERVICE.COM identify and hire quality workers. Now partnered with the Virginia Restaurant, Performance Foodservice delivers more than 125,000 food and food-related Lodging & Travel Association, Snagajob is proud to offer preferred pricing, products to 85,000 customer locations on a daily basis from distribution including a 10% discount for VRLTA members. centers nationwide. Everything we do is to serve the people on the front lines Joe Gabriel • (P) 703.457.7873 • (E) joe.gabriel@snagajob.com of foodservice. This means helping you to find the best products and services featuring custom-cut meat, produce, and local seafood. It also means bringing HOTELHELP, INC. HOTELHELP, INC. you technology innovations so you can place orders easily and stay on top of HOTELHELPSERVICES.COM your operation wherever you go. HOTELHelp partners with some of the most innovative leaders in the arena Andrew Baserap • (P) 804.237.1001 • (E) Andrew.Baserap@pfgc.com developing partnerships that take these already flourishing operations to new levels of profitability and popularity. Providing a dependable, smiling, and dedicated labor product, while offering hands-on account management REINHART FOODSERVICE and superior customer service, makes HOTELHelp a smart choice for any hotel operation. Your customers will see the difference and so will you! RFSDELIVERS.COM Jeff Byars • (P) 901-624-5000 • (E) jeffbyars@hotelhelpservices.com Reinhart Foodservice is the 4th largest foodservice distributor in the country, serving independent restaurants, delis, sporting venues, schools, nursing homes, hospitals, the military and chain accounts. Our customers OTHER MONEY-SAVING PROGRAMS benefit from one-stop shopping, as we offer a vast array of products to suit operators’ needs, like fresh meat, seafood, produce, dairy, coffee, dry FISHBOWL groceries, china, utensils, disposables, foodservice equipment and more. Anthony Caretta • (P) 800-868-4517 • (E) agcaretta@rfsdelivers.com VRLTA.ORG/FISHBOWL

SILVER BOLLINGER ENERGY CORPORATION

BOLLINGERENERGY.COM/PREFERREDPROVIDER/VRLTA/ Bollinger Energy has partnered with VRLTA to bring Savings and Service to Members on your Natural Gas purchases. Our personalized approach to energy supply combines expertise, competitive prices and exceptional customer service. Contact us for your Preferred Pricing! Gary Murphy • (P) 443-248-3927 • (E) gary@bollingerenergy.com

ECOLAB ECOLAB.COM

Around the world businesses in foodservice, food processing and hospitality choose Ecolab products and services to keep their environment clean and safe, operate efficiently and achieve sustainability goals. Katherine Hunt • (P) 240.629.9410 • (E) Katherine.hunt@ecolab.com 22

VIRGINIA RESTAURANT, LODGING & TRAVEL ASSOCIATION

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Fishbowl is the leading online marketing solution for restaurants and independent hotels. As a VRLTA member, you’re eligible for a free local email marketing account with 500 free monthly messages, 10% off list price thereafter, and more.

OFFICE DEPOT VRLTA.ORG/OFFICEDEPOT

PRIME SOURCE PURCHASING VRLTA.ORG/PRIMESOURCE

Prime Source Purchasing (PSP) works with Virginia’s major food distributors to get money back for our member restaurants. By working with PSP and VRLTA, you can receive rebate checks quarterly on all the food you order. Exclusively available to Association members, simply sign up for the program and put money back in your pocket.

Spring 2017

3/23/17 11:33 AM

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3/23/17 11:35 AM

2101 LIBBIE AVE., RICHMOND, VA 23230

BE FEATURED IN THE EXCITING NEW VIRGINIA GUIDE APP FROM THE VIRGINIA RESTAURANT, LODGING & TRAVEL ASSOCIATION.

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VIRGINIA RESTARAUNT, LODGING & TRAVEL ASSOCIATION

Fall 2015

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To ensure your listing contact: Kiara Davis 757-422-8979 ext 125 or at kiara@vgnet.com

3/23/17 11:36 AM